Psych 101: What Women Need to Know

www.drcherylarutt.com

Dr. Cheryl Arutt of Beverly Hills, Calif., earned a Doctor of Psychology degree from California School of Professional Psychology-Los Angeles after graduating summa cum laude from UCLA. She has worked at the Wright Institute, Catholic Charities Psychological Services and the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center, where she and a colleague wrote and adapted what became the nation's first court-approved program for same-sex batterers. She provides private psychotherapy focusing on creative artist issues, trauma recovery and infertility, as well as forensic evaluation and testimony. Dr. Arutt is a frequent psychological expert on CNN, HLN and FoxNews.

What are some psychological issues that are most prevalent among women in 2011?

I like to remind women about that safety announcement before the plane takes off: Put your own oxygen mask on first, then help someone else. I'm also seeing an increase in infertility issues and IVF.

I wish women would talk with one another more, because so many women feel alone. 

What do you love most about what you do?

I am passionate about seeing people grow, learn new skills, and remove obstacles to living rich and fulfilling lives. It is a gift to be trusted with a person’s inner thoughts and fears. I love using the science of psychology and the art of psychotherapy to make real people’s lives better.  I enjoy writing and doing TV/radio appearances, because media provide a chance to bring psychological insights to people who might not otherwise have access to these ideas.

Do you think there is a stigma that exists with regard to mental illness or psychological struggles of any kind?

A British radio personality once commented to me that in the U.S. people try to perfect their outer appearance, but publicly display their inner flaws. In the U.K. it was more acceptable to have physical flaws, but mental and emotional flaws were to be hidden. We do have a cultural ambivalence toward mental health. Stigma is an obstacle for many. When it comes to psychological struggles, it is healthier to say, “My life could be working better, and I am going to get new tools to make that happen” than it is to grit your teeth and just say, “I can take the pain.”

What is most misunderstood about psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is healthcare, not a luxury item.  A new federal parity law codifies this by requiring insurance companies to cover psychotherapy at the same level as other medical care. Common misconceptions include the notion that therapy is only for "crazy" people, that the therapist’s job is to “fix” you, or that therapy is about talking endlessly about why you are the way you are, without actually changing anything. Understanding why is necessary, but not sufficient, for improving one’s life. You have to do things differently to get a different result.

Your experience, academic training, and resume in general are astounding. Of which accomplishment are you most proud?

I am fortunate to be able to do what I love. I must say, though, that my proudest accomplishments are my children, who keep me on my toes and teach me new things every day.

Read more about Dr. Arutt at www.drcherylarutt.com and on Twitter @drcherylarutt. This article also appears in the Fall print issue of Sashay Magazine, available for purchase here https://www.sashaymagazine.com/Sashay-Magazine/Back-Issues/.